How to drive effective meetings

Basically there are three key moments to drive the performance of your team through a meeting, the Before, During and After the Meeting ,  let me share some ideas:

Before the meeting
First of all you need to think how you will make this time strategic and define the objectives of the meetings.

Try using questions like:
- How is going on the goals of the moth/quarter? Is it necessary to take some action about that?
- Which problems, bottlenecks do you need to overcome?
- Which things do you need from you team?
- What information/Update your team must know?
- How could you help the team?
- What should be the outputs of the meeting?
 
Once you have  the clear picture of your meeting, create an agenda and allocate an appropriate amount of time. Finally Inform and confirm your team for the meeting, you must ensure the key people will be there.

During the meeting 
According the objectives you have defined after the meeting,  you should have an agenda and check points (this will be you plan),  your meeting will be effective if you follow it.

Below I'm presenting you a framework of how it could be, but keep in mind that this has to be customized to your meeting objectives.

Meeting Agenda 

Let's start (10 min)
Share the points to discuss and the objectives of the meeting
Choose one person responsible to take the outputs (Next steps, DDLs, people responsible, conclusions)

what's going on (15)
Follow up key commitments of the team in last meetings
Share last news, incoming changes, projects and relevant information with the team

 Let's focus to work (45 min)
Collaboration time to work on of strategies, action plans, solutions for current objectives, priorities, problems. As the meeting time is limited, you also can plan future independents meetings e.g. one to one or between two department leaders to get finished the issue in question.

To keep in mind: (10 min)
Clarify priorities, goals of the week/moth
Share important messages.

let's do that (10 min)
Next steps and check list, task assignation, check points, Closing messages.

After the meeting 
With the help of the person you chose to take the outputs, ensure these reach the team.
Take 10 min to evaluate how was the meeting, did you accomplish your objectives?, How could you do it better the next time?,  ask to your how they perceive the meeting.
Finally don't forget to track the next steps, DDLs, people responsible to ensure the things happen!